Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

AUS-AIF-LVG-SOC General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 1.5 to 4 %
Optimal Range: 1.5 to 4
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

An inferred optimal range for the clay-rich soils of the Arid Inland Floodplains under sustainable grazing is likely between 1.5% and 4.0% SOC in the top 0-10 cm.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) supporting healthy, resilient grazing systems.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal soil organic carbon range indicating healthy and resilient grazing systems in the arid inland floodplains biome.

Justification:

Synthesized from literature and expert inference due to lack of precise numerical data.

Sources (1)

Preview of Carbon storage value of native vegetation on a subhumid–semi-arid floodplain
Carbon storage value of native vegetation on a subhumid–semi-arid floodplain Journal

Carbon storage value of native vegetation on a subhumid–semi-arid floodplain

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Carbon storage in temperate and semi-arid Australian plant communities containing cotton
Carbon storage in temperate and semi-arid Australian plant communities containing cotton
Contextual Support Journal

Baseline map of organic carbon in Australian soil to support national carbon accounting and monitoring under climate change

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents a functioning system well above degradation threshold and approaching natural potential.